Govt’s efforts transforming yatra into zero-landfill pilgrimage

Baltal, July 3: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has launched various initiatives to make the annual Amarnath Yatra a zero-landfill pilgrimage.

These initiatives of the Rural Development Department (RDD) and Rural Sanitation Department include the use of eco-friendly bags, a ban on plastic, proper disposal of waste, and other measures transforming the Amarnath Yatra into an environmentally-conscious pilgrimage.

Officials said that since the commencement of the yatra, tonnes of dry and wet waste have been collected and handled properly on both Baltal and Pahalgam axis.

Secretary Rural Development Department, Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary who is also the Nodal Officer for Amarnath Yatra via Baltal axis is leading from the front for the resolve to have a zero waste yatra.

He has been regularly reviewing the sanitation facilities and progress.

Chaudhary said that many initiatives had been taken to ensure a clean and waste-free yatra.

He said that eco-friendly bags were being provided in place of plastic and polythene bags which were harmful to the environment.

Chaudhary said that these measures had significantly enhanced the cleanliness standards of the Amarnath Yatra.

He said that the annual yatra witnesses a large number of devotees every year between July and August.

“This leads to a considerable amount of waste generation, necessitating effective waste management strategies to maintain the yatra site and ensure complete waste collection,” Chaudhary said.

Director General Rural Sanitation Department, Anu Malhotra said that to ensure a sustainable Amarnath Yatra and achieve zero landfill goals, a significant quantity of wet and dry waste had been collected from different camp locations and enroute, and been processed using appropriate scientific methods.

She said that 15 waste processing facilities had been established on both Baltal and Pahalgam axis.

“Eight processing facilities have been set up at the Baltal axis starting from Neelgrath till Amarnath cave shrine and seven processing facilities set up at Pahalgam axis starting from Nunwan till Panchtarni. The wet waste is processed using the conventional composting methods and the dry waste is processed through segregating into different types of recyclable and non-recyclable waste and further processing it using the baling machines,” Malhotra said.

She said that eight vehicles – five at the Baltal axis and 3 at the Pahalgam axis - had been deployed for collection and transportation of waste at the base camp locations.

More than 600 workers and nearly 25 management and supervisory staff have been deployed on both axes combined only to handle day-to-day waste collection from primary and secondary sources, its transportation, and processing and scientific disposal.

“From June 27 June to July 2, nearly 61.35 tonnes of waste has been handled. Of this, 17.25 tonnes of wet waste – 3.315 tonnes on the Pahalgam axis and 14.205 tonnes on the Baltal axis - has been put into the compost beds for composting,” Malhotra said.

She said 22.23 tonnes of dry waste – 7.31 tonnes on the Pahalgam axis and 14.920 tonnes on the Baltal axis had been processed after segregating into various recyclable and non-recyclable streams like PET, HDPE, LDPE, cardboard, multilayered plastic, and metals.

“In addition, 21.60 tonnes of inert and process rejects have been accumulated till now which will be disposed of through sending it to RDF utilising industry by the engaged service provider,” Malhotra said.

She said that these figures highlighted the effectiveness of the waste management strategy, which emphasises the separate collection and processing of wet and dry waste to minimise environmental impact.

“The collaborative efforts of our service providers, volunteers, and yatris have been instrumental in maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the yatra routes,” Malhotra said.

She said that the department remains committed to upholding these standards throughout the yatra, ensuring a zero-landfill experience for all participants.

Meanwhile, officials said that for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in 2024, about 2245 toilet units and 235 bathing points had been installed and maintained along the Pahalgam axis while 1660 toilet points and 490 bathing units had been installed along the Baltal route to improve sanitation.

Additionally, 250 toilet units have been installed along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for the convenience of the travellers.

Moreover, initiatives like the procurement and distribution of cloth bags to yatris for plastic waste collection, and provision of water ATMs for free potable water have been taken.

Additionally, a mobile application will be developed and maintained for the Amarnath Yatra